England captain Wayne Rooney, pundit Gary Lineker and former teammate Peter Schmeichel were among those to offer condolences as the world of football came together to extend their sympathies to Ferdinand.

Sian, 21, wrote: "Just want to say a huge Thank you for the love and support our family has received. It hasn't gone unnoticed, we appreciate it all."

Rebecca Ellison died following a short battle with breast cancer aged just 34.

Mourning: Rebecca Ellison died following a short battle with breast cancer (Image: PA)

Hours before QPR's game with Liverpool, Rio issued a statement on the club's official website.

The 36-year-old said: "My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

"She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.

"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.

"I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden.

"Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten.

"Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately."

After the game, Rio's manager Chris Ramsey said the defender had been a "man-mountain" during his wife's illness.

"There is a very solemn atmosphere in the dressing room. Everyone at the club will tell you, as a man, he has been fantastic. He has come in and trained and kept it all to himself. He is not been moping and has talked to all the young players.

"He has been a man-mountain. We only have good things to say about him and the way he has conducted himself. Our thoughts are with him and his family and hope they can pull together and find strength at this tragic moment.”